One person confirmed dead at Martyrs Day celebrations

The organizers of the Martyrs’ Day celebrations have confirmed that one person died yesterday during the celebrations.

Over 3 million pilgrims attended mass at the Catholic shrine.

The head of publicity Rev Fr Jude Semambo told XFM that one pilgrim, 80 years old and a mother to one of the priests Fr Joseph Mujuni in Fort Portal collapsed in the offertory line and died on her way to Angelina hospital next to the shrine.

By press time today, many pilgrims especially from upcountry were still stranded at the shrine.

Some lost contact with drivers of their buses and others their transport was stolen by pickpockets in the congestion.

Fr Semambo says they budgeted 3 million to cater for such cases and have started verifying them to assist those with a genuine cause back to their homes.